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Good morning, everybody! I think with the threat of multiple armed militias planning to attend the Denver Capitol on the 19th and 20th, we should talk about the man behind one of Colorado's major militias: John Tiegen and the United American Defense Force.
I must stress that this deep dive wouldn't be possible without the work of @HeidiBeedle so please go follow her.
I want to make it clear that Tiegen and FEC United have specifically made statements to avoid the Capitol on and around inauguration day. Still, Tiegen is using the current climate to recruit for the UADF and deserves to be talked about regardless.
Also, as we'll learn later, Tiegen crafts calls to action in ways to avoid responsibility from falling back on him and UADF.
Tiegen is perhaps most well known in recent times for being one of the main figures behind the disastrous “Patriot Muster” rally in October wherein far right activist Lee Keltner was shot and killed by 9News security contractor, Matthew Dolloff. https://sentinelcolorado.com/news/metro/security-guard-in-custody-after-man-dies-in-shooting-at-denver-protests/
Before that, John Tiegen got his start as a marine and one of the security contractors on the ground during the 2012 Benghazi attacks in Libya. He co-authored the book “13 Hours” and was a subject of Michael Bay's film of the same name.
Among many things, the narrative of "13 Hours" spreads largely false theories and assertions surrounding the Benghazi attacks. https://www.postandcourier.com/features/arts_and_travel/benghazi-movie-misstates-some-facts/article_0698c8e8-5288-5266-aebf-caf08208cef3.html
Despite these inconsistencies, Tiegen has used his background to land multiple speaking gigs where he is billed as things like (and including) a “hero from the Battle of Benghazi” https://www.wyofile.com/us-vs-them-recruiting-wyomingites-for-domestic-fight/
In May, he led a rally to “TAKE OUR FUCKING COUNTRY BACK” in response to a Castle Rock restaurant having its license suspended due to it welcoming large amounts of unmasked patrons during Mother's Day. https://coloradotimesrecorder.com/2020/05/activist-who-launched-trump-re-election-campaign-in-colorado-now-leading-rally-to-take-our-fucking-country-back/23490/
He made an appearance at a BLM protest June 6th, where he had set up a sniper nest overlooking a protest in downtown Colorado Springs. When interviewed, he said he was contacted by "three different agencies" about antifa. https://www.csindy.com/temporary_news/who-are-the-militia-members-showing-up-at-colorado-springs-protests/article_24706b21-ca10-505e-a05a-23ef4ba16256.html
A CSPD officer commented on this by saying “intelligence reports are law enforcement only and would not be shared with the public.”
The name “UADF” did not appear on Tiegen's social media until July, when he made this call to action to begin rallying prospective members.
UADF stands for United American Defense Force and is the “defense force” wing of Colorado fascist lobbying group, FEC United. The group charges its membership a monthly fee and offers “insurance protection" for “use of force” https://coloradotimesrecorder.com/2020/10/conservative-group-behind-deadly-patriot-muster-rally-working-closely-with-colorado-gop/31445/
In essence, people are paying FEC United and by extension Tiegen, to LARP as soldiers. One may use creative license and call the UADF a grift militia. I'm not saying you should. But you could.
When Kyle Rittenhouse shot multiple activists in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Tiegen's response on social media was to say “NICE F@&k shot Kyle!” https://coloradotimesrecorder.com/2020/08/wisconsin-attack-on-protesters-looks-like-a-clean-shooting-says-co-springs-radio-host/29669/
Throughout the summer Tiegen put out calls for “book club meetings” (shitty code for armed militia rallys) wherein he explicitly states that the rallys are not UADF affiliated. Here is a screen capture of one such call to action.
This particular call to action was in response to a rally Denver liberals & leftists organized in solidarity with the march on Washington. https://www.denverpost.com/2020/08/28/march-on-washington-denver-rallies/
My best guess is that Tiegen states that his counterprotest response isn't a “UADF meeting” in order to protect UADF and FEC United in case one of his chuds attempted anything illegal within Denver. But this is only a guess.
Let's talk about that night a little bit.
On August 28th, activists in solidarity with the March on Washington marched up Colfax Ave to police precinct six on Washington. Meanwhile, Tiegen's “book club” was having a little chat with DPD. https://twitter.com/diordaddie/status/1299598163511132160
On August 28th, activists in solidarity with the March on Washington marched up Colfax Ave to police precinct six on Washington. Meanwhile, Tiegen's “book club” was having a little chat with DPD. https://twitter.com/diordaddie/status/1299598163511132160
As per this article, a a DPD officer told Tiegen's counterprotesters that they need to go home, despite DPD appreciating the "support" they received. Leftists were getting shot with gas and pepper balls at this point in the night. https://www.cpr.org/2020/09/12/armored-groups-are-playing-late-night-cat-and-mouse-at-downtown-denver-protests/
In this video, you can see DPD SWAT officers forming a line in front of the counterprotesters in what seems to be a move to shield them from leftists. The linked account incorrectly labels the group as Proud Boys. https://twitter.com/__ovas__/status/1299598506500423680
Hey, remember when I mentioned Tiegen's group not being labelled as 'UADF' on a whim because they might do illegal things? Here's a screen cap of one of them that night wearing an open drop leg holster. Open carry is illegal within Denver city limits. https://twitter.com/TheCommieCon/status/1299596318189314048
After this and the Patriot Muster in October, Tiegen would make an appearance with what appears to be UADF members in CO Springs on November 7th, the day it was announced Biden had won the presidental election. Notice the logo on their shirts. https://twitter.com/colpeoplespress/status/1325182142855458817
The primary bulk of his activity on Twitter for the past month, especially since the purge, has primarily been UADF recruitment posts and abstract bits about pigeons.
Tiegen has become a face of the Colorado far right by repeatedly sending out violent calls to actions that put people at risk. Like most of the larger right wing ecosystem, he has made a career for himself carved out of violence and conspiracy.
A correction to my original statement: https://twitter.com/anarchofoxx/status/1349496668450926594?s=21
